Will MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress open at Knott’s in 2026?
After more than three years behind construction walls, the reopening of MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress at Knott’s Berry Farm was just around the corner, set for July 20. The park had invited media to preview the reimagined roller coaster and now that preview is cancelled.
Opening of Montezooma coaster postponed
In a statement provided to Attractions Magazine, Knott’s Berry Farm states, “The excitement surrounding MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress continues to build, and we want to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. After careful consideration, we have decided to postpone our upcoming Media Day while we complete final preparations.”
All hope is not lost, as the statement goes on to say that media and guests may be welcomed in the coming days.
We appreciate everyone’s understanding and look forward to welcoming media and guests in the coming days when we can showcase the attraction exactly as intended.
Additional details regarding rescheduled opportunities will be shared soon.
In 2022, we reported that a reimagined Montezooma’s Revenge coaster—renamed MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress— would debut with Knott’s new Fiesta Village in summer 2023. Knott’s promised the updated attraction would feature a new immersive storyline, new thrills, and a randomized launch sequence—but when Fiesta Village reopened in 2023, the coaster remained closed.
Montezooma’s Revenge
Montezooma’s Revenge was the first flywheel-launched roller coaster in the world and the oldest shuttle loop roller coaster still in its original location. Since its debut in 1978, Montezooma’s Revenge launched millions of guests out of the station from 0 to 55 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds, up through a 76-foot, 360° loop, and then to the top of a 148-foot tower. After a moment of weightlessness, the train zooms backward down the tower, through the loop, and passes through the station up a second 112-foot tower, then down the tower into the station.
In 2022, when it was announced Knott’s iconic coaster was being updated, pieces of the original Montezooma’s Revenge were given to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives in Plainview, Tex.
“This is an historic addition to the museum’s permanent collection that showcases the classic Schwarzkopf shuttle loop,” said National Roller Coaster Museum Historian Richard Munch in 2022. “Knott’s Berry Farm has magnanimously provided us with two ride vehicles, the iconic sign, and the top of the ride’s loop. It is an amazing donation.”
MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress
According to Knott’s, the ride’s randomized launch sequence would make it impossible for riders to know their destiny “until it is too late to escape the clutches of Montezooma”—and the grounds leading to the temple would be littered with the remains of treasure hunters who “weren’t able to escape with their lives.”
Thankfully, Knott’s assured us that the traps leading to the gold have been cleared, so when the attraction opens, riders will be free to attempt the final challenge and reach the hidden Aztec treasure within.
After being delayed from 2023, Knott’s listed MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress’s reopening for 2025 (and we know how that turned out). It would appear that the forbidden fortress will finally welcome guests soon.
Follow us:
No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
